Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 125 - 121: Framing and Entrapment, the Helpless Saihara Ichiro

Chapter 125: Chapter 121: Framing and Entrapment, the Helpless Saihara Ichiro

Saihara Ichiro had been drinking, but he believed his mind was still clear, so he decided to drive home himself.

For people of his social status and influence, drunk driving was essentially a non-issue.

After all, unlike decades later when the internet would be more prevalent, any incident could easily be exposed; now, if pulled over for drunk driving, a simple phone call could solve everything.

Upon reaching his car and just as he pulled out his key to open the door, two people suddenly appeared from around him and forcefully pinned him against the car, leaving him unable to move.

"What are you doing? Let me go! Let me go!"

"Idiot! Don’t move! We’re the police!"

Once he heard they were police, Saihara Ichiro immediately stopped struggling, while guessing in his mind which of his misdeeds had been discovered, and asked, "Which department from which police station are you from, and why are you arresting me?"

He wasn’t afraid of the police; after all, he was a good friend of the Police Director’s son. What couldn’t be solved with one phone call? Then make two calls!

Not to mention his connections weren’t limited to Director Ninpei Oshiro, and included many officials and prominent figures. As the Chief Editor of Asahi News Political Department, his influence was significant.

"We are from Shinjuku Police Station, Organized Crime Countermeasures, Firearms and Explosives Division. I’m Chief Takizawa Mapu, and Saihara Ichiro, someone has reported you for trafficking drugs," Takizawa stated as he flipped out his badge, slapping it against Saihara’s face.

"Drug trafficking?" Saihara Ichiro’s initial reaction was that it was a practical joke, as he had never been involved in such an activity and burst out laughing in anger, cursing, "Idiot! Don’t you idiots do investigations? Someone reports, and you just arrest? Where’s the evidence that I trafficked drugs? I’m telling you, you’re in trouble now!"

He was furious, and the consequences were severe.

"It’s you, Chief Editor Cangji, who’s in trouble," Takizawa looked at him sympathetically. Why would a journalist who should be doing proper news work offend Aoyama Xiu Xin? He reached over, pulled open the car door, picked up a bag from the driver’s seat, and opened it, "Can you explain what this is?"

Saihara Ichiro looked down and saw nothing but bags of white powder, causing him to break out in a cold sweat.

"That’s not mine! It’s not! Someone surely framed me! This is a wrongful accusation!"

Saihara Ichiro panicked, frantically trying to defend himself.

Nonsense, I know it’s not yours; I placed them there when I opened your car door.

While Takizawa thought this to himself, he said, "We found this in your car. Just because you say it’s not yours doesn’t make it true. What use are we, the police?"

"Fingerprints! Yes, fingerprints! This bag isn’t mine, I’ve never touched it, there are no fingerprints of mine on it!" Saihara Ichiro said anxiously, believing he had found a way to prove his innocence.

As soon as he finished speaking, Takizawa grabbed his hand and pressed it a few times on the bag, giving him a slight smile, "Good, now it has your fingerprints."

Saihara Ichiro froze on the spot, staring blankly at Takizawa, realizing at this moment that the man before him was the one framing him.

"Idiot! How dare you frame me? Do you know I’m friends with the Director General’s son?"

Takizawa’s expression changed slightly; damn, he genuinely didn’t know, but it was already too late.

After all, he had already offended someone, and now he had to see this through to the bitter end to prevent giving them a chance to retaliate.

Moreover, Aoyama Xiu Xin would surely know about Saihara Ichiro’s connection with Director Renping’s family; and still dared to act, indicating he was not afraid. If so, what could he, a mere emissary, fear?

"Framing you? The goods were found in your car, and they have your fingerprints. The drug offender who reported you said they got the drugs from you. With both human and physical evidence collected, our procedure is reasonable and legal! Save your arguments for the courtroom," Takizawa said righteously, his face stern, then ordered, "Secure the evidence."

"Alright!"

A police officer, sporting a camera across his chest, took several rapid shots of the scene while Saihara Ichiro, out of instinct, desperately covered his face, making him appear extremely disheveled.

Takizawa pulled his hands down.

Saihara Ichiro, with a resentful and fierce glare, stared at Takizawa and said, "I need to make a phone call."

Naturally, he intended to seek help from Director Renping’s son.

"Don’t be foolish, buddy," Takizawa’s mocking smile appeared as he spoke lightly, "Do you think the people behind me don’t know about your connections with the Director’s family? They know and still want to bring you down; do you think pressuring from the Director’s son will help you?"

Saihara Ichiro’s expression stiffened momentarily, his face turning pale as he listened to Takizawa’s tone. Clearly, whoever was behind this didn’t care about his relationship with the Renping family.

With solid testimony and evidence against him, if they were determined, not even diving into Mount Fuji could clear his name.

From the son of a farmer, it had not been easy to get to where he was today; could all this vanish without a trace? He absolutely couldn’t accept that!

No! Wait! Not right!

Perhaps they weren’t targeting him personally.

Could it be the result of an internal power struggle within the Police Headquarters?

"Who’s behind this, and what do they want? I need to talk to them," Saihara Ichiro revealed, grasping at this last straw of hope.

Takizawa waved to his subordinates to step back a bit, then, seizing Saihara Ichiro, got into his car and took out a mobile phone to call Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Although initially, he had requested a transfer out of the Police Headquarters out of fear of Aoyama Xiu Xin’s potential retaliation, that didn’t mean he truly wanted to leave the Police Headquarters.

So when Fujimoto Ryosuke approached him two days ago, he didn’t hesitate to agree to cooperate. As long as he helped Aoyama Xiu Xin, he would be his man, and even if he didn’t return to the Police Headquarters, he could have a better future at Shinjuku Police Station.

"Police Chief Aoyama, I am Takizawa Mapu." After the call connected, Takizawa Mapu respectfully said.

Hearing the words "Police Chief Aoyama," Saihara Ichiro’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Oh, is that Takizawa-kun? What’s the matter?" On the other side, while driving back to Tokyo, Aoyama Xiu Xin hesitated for a moment before remembering who it was.

Takizawa Mapu honestly said, "According to Detective Fujimoto’s reminder, Saihara Ichiro from the Asahi News Political Department was arrested for smuggling; he wishes to speak with you."

"Oh?" Aoyama Xiu Xin immediately understood Fujimoto Ryosuke’s plan upon hearing this and chuckled softly before saying, "Please hand the phone to Chief Editor Cangji."

"Hi!" Takizawa Mapu responded, then handed the phone to Saihara Ichiro, "Police Chief Aoyama wants you."

"Aoyama Xiu Xin, what do you mean by this? We have no grudges, why’re you targeting me!" Saihara Ichiro asked furiously as he took the phone.

"Yes, no grudges," Aoyama Xiu Xin muttered to himself before suddenly raising his voice and demanding, "You know we have no grudges, so why are you targeting me? Saihara Ichiro, you old bastard! You show me no kindness, don’t blame me for not being courteous to you!"

Saihara Ichiro’s face changed colors. He had only been suspicious, but now, hearing these words, he could be sure that Aoyama Xiu Xin knew about his and Ninpei Oshiro’s schemes.

And he immediately thought of the informant.

Matsubara Zizhi!

"Are you not going to say anything? Were you not angry just now? Why not continue questioning me?" Aoyama Xiu Xin spoke sarcastically.

Saihara Ichiro was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I didn’t want this. Ninpei Oshiro has favored me, I had to do it; up to this point, I have fulfilled my duty of loyalty to him. If you spare me, Police Chief Aoyama, I’ll never trouble you again."

"Heh, should I be thanking you then?" Aoyama Xiu Xin sneered, his tone filled with disdain.

Saihara Ichiro took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation and anger in his heart, "Then what exactly do you want?"

"My condition is simple, teach Ninpei Oshiro a lesson," Aoyama Xiu Xin said leisurely.

"Impossible!" Saihara Ichiro immediately rejected the demand, adding, "Not only are Ninpei Oshiro and I friends, and he has favored me, even if I disregard all that and help you, he will surely retaliate against me afterward."

"I will help you; how can I dare to act against him if I do not have support? Are we together not enough to fear his retaliation?" Aoyama Xiu Xin calmly stated.

Saihara Ichiro fell silent at that moment.

Aoyama Xiu Xin huffed, "It seems Chief Editor Cangji would rather sacrifice himself than betray Ninpei Oshiro, a true man of loyalty. In that case, I’ll oblige you, get ready for prison."

"Wait!" Realizing Aoyama Xiu Xin was about to hang up, Saihara Ichiro hurriedly spoke, sighing helplessly, "What’s your plan? Tell me."

He truly didn’t want to betray Ninpei Oshiro, but helpless under the circumstances—if it ever came to going to court, it would be unfavorable either way.

"It’s simple, set up a meeting with him, talk about your plan against me, record it secretly, and personally write an article to expose the matter. By then, you will even become famous," Aoyama Xiu Xin cheerfully said.

"No way!" Saihara Ichiro panicked at those words, gritting his teeth, "If I record it, who would trust me afterward? Which big shot would dare to speak the truth to me, isn’t there another way?"

Being a journalist, if he were to secretly record his own conversations with others, then everyone would guard against him.

"Chief Editor Cangji, whichever way you choose, you must betray Ninpei Oshiro. Since you are betraying Ninpei Oshiro, to whom you owe a favor, how can you expect others to trust you? So what difference does it make whether you record or not?" Aoyama Xiu Xin earnestly questioned.

Hearing this, Saihara Ichiro found himself unable to respond. Indeed, if he has already betrayed Ninpei Oshiro, who else would trust him? What difference would recording make?

The only consolation was that the common people would see him as a righteous man through this. At worst, he could pursue a populist route in the future, accumulate popularity, and seize the opportunity to enter politics.

In any case, it would be better than becoming embroiled in a smuggling scandal.

"I want to see related news by tomorrow, Chief Editor Cangji, please hurry up; otherwise, instead of Ninpei Oshiro making headlines for entrapping a loyal man, you will make headlines for smuggling," Aoyama Xiu Xin finished speaking and then hung up.

"Beep~beep~beep~"

Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Saihara Ichiro felt overwhelmed and handed the phone to Takizawa Mapu beside him, trying to make a last-ditch effort, "Officer Takizawa, a wise man submits to circumstances! If you let me go, I’ll recommend you to Director Renping; I guarantee it’s more promising than following Aoyama Xiu Xin."

As long as Takizawa Mapu destroyed the photos just taken and that bag of smuggled goods, his crisis would naturally be averted.

"Chief Editor Cangji, I’ll report this to Police Chief Aoyama," Takizawa Mapu smirked unwillingly.

He didn’t believe such nonsense at all. He knew Saihara Ichiro surely despised him now and considered him a mere nobody. Moreover, Aoyama Xiu Xin was the son-in-law of the Asakai family; what good would come from betrayal?

Swinging between two opinions is the worst thing a man can do.

Seeing that Takizawa Mapu was unmoved and impervious, Saihara Ichiro momentarily ran out of options.

"Fine, you send me to meet Ninpei Oshiro."

"You can go by yourself; I need to take the evidence back to the police station," Takizawa Mapu smilingly refused the request after all, he wasn’t that foolish.

Saihara Ichiro’s last hope shattered.

"Chief Editor Cangji, you’d better behave, otherwise, you’ll be adding the crime of fleeing to your charges."

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